Liechty, Adam J. (1918-2009)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2009 Feb 16 p. 9

Birth date: 1918 Jun 24

text of obituary:

ADAM J. LIECHTY

Adam J. Liechty, 90, of Berne, Ind., died Jan. 14, 2009, from lung cancer. He was born June 24, 1918, to John H. and Clara May (Witmer) Liechty at Brinsmade, N.D.

He married Marcella Sprunger on Jan. 3, 1942. She preceded him in death on May 30, 1987. On Jan. 7, 1989, he married Julia G. Beitler.

He was a veteran of World War II, where he served in the Medical Corps and was attached to the 48th Armored Infantry of the 7th Armored Division. He was on the front line for eight months and was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, four Battle Stars, Good Conduct Medal and other decorations.

He came to Berne after being discharged in October 1945. He got a job at the 5 cent to $1 store in Berne. After a few years he bought the store and became owner and manager. A few years later he sold the business, went to Liechty Motors and sold cars. In 1962 he went to Home Dairy as a salesman for 17 years. His most recent venture was building Park Village and Continental Village Apartments, where he was part owner and manager. He was also responsible for Chalet Village Nursing Home coming to the Berne community. He was a member of Indiana Rural Rental Housing Association for 15 years. He retired at age 80.

He was a member of First Mennonite Church in Berne. He sang in the Mennonite Men’s Chorus for 25 years. He was a member of Gideons International for 58 years and placed many Gideon Bibles in hotels and motels from New York to Chicago and many cities in Indiana.

Survivors include his wife, Julia; three sons, Stanley W. Liechty and his wife, Shirley, of Port Huron, Mich., John Liechty and his wife, Peggy, of Ypsilanti, Mich., and Dallas C. Liechty and his wife, Jacki, of Osceola; two daughters, Anita C. Wenger and her husband, Daniel, of Berne and Audrey M. Kah and her husband, Gary, of Fishers; four stepchildren, Robert B. Beiler and his wife, Sharon, of Forest, Ohio, John S. Beitler and his wife, Brenda, of Kennet Square, Pa., Christine A. Nofziger and her husband, Laurence, of Alberta, and Stanley W. Beitler of Bluffton, Ind.; four brothers, Ezra, Jonathan, Silas and Reuben Liechty, all of Jamestown, N.D.; 15 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren and nine step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marcella; a brother, Paul Liechty; and a sister, Ruth.

Funeral services were held at First Mennonite Church of Berne. Burial was in the MRE Cemetery of rural Berne.